Page 12 of Kilty By Association
His leader studied him for a moment, then shrugged. “Well, ye should be. If I were ye, I’d find a woman tonight, my friend. Because tomorrow ye’re departing on an indefinite mission—ye’re stuck with Lady Elspeth until ye can determine who is trying to kill her son and bring the bastard to justice. Remember, ye cannae trust any woman to do what’s logical, and ye cannae trust her.”
Knowing Drummond’s history, ‘twas no wonder he still felt that way. No wonder he hated missions involving women. But…
“I dinnae think Lady Elspeth is untrustworthy,” Craig said stiffly. “She only wants what’s best for her son, the Earl.” He remembered how passionately she’d spoken last night, how she’d begged for Craig’s help to protect the lad, even when she’d thought he was a criminal. “But she must no’ have known of the King’s plan.”
“Och, aye? Why no’?”
Craig winced, realizing he’d almost revealed her whereabouts last night. And uncertain why he was hiding them. “I just mean, if the King only told ye late last night about this mission, he must’ve only just decided to send one of the Hunters, which means she wouldn’t be aware.”
“Ye’re right, the puir woman must be worried about the Earl’s safety on their journey.” Drum shrugged. “But she’ll be here soon, and I can explain it to her.”
Well, that explained why he kept glancing at the sun. As if conjured, there was a knock at the door of the small room the Hunters used as headquarters.
Craig stood as Drum pushed away from the desk and moved toward the door. He grasped the handle and pulled it open. “Milady, thank ye for joining us.”
From this angle, Craig could only see part of her gown and one elbow, but he suspected he’d recognize that elbow anywhere.
“Sir Kennedy,” she began, in that low tone that seemed to shoot right to his groin. “What is this about? I received a note from Her Majesty I was expected here, but ye can imagine I have much to oversee before tomorrow’s departure. I still need to hire some sort of protection for—”
“Allow me to set yer mind at ease, milady. Their Majesties have assigned ye a King’s Hunter to oversee the Earl’s safety—and yers as well.”
With that announcement, Drummond swung the door open further, revealing all of Elspeth to Craig. Her hands were clasped in front of her and she looked anxious—as anxious as she had last night, searching out known bandits in desperation.
But when her gaze settled on his, those warm brown eyes widened, and he knew whatever chance he had of going unrecognized was moot. So, he bowed and offered a mumbled little, “Lady Elspeth.”
Drummond offered his arm. “Milady, this is one of my finest men. He’s strong and he’ll take orders well, although ye can trust him to choose the best, safest path for yer son. His name is—”
“Craig,” she breathed, standing as still as a statue, eyes still wide, obviously in shock at learning his true identity.
Craig winced again, just as Drum snorted.
“Yeareshite at lying, Craig. Good luck, ye bastard.”
Chapter 3
Being an adult,at times, wasexhausting.
Katharine was five and had little to do besides ask endless questions and earn praise for defecating in the garderobe and spooning her own porridge. Even Robbie, at nine, had freedom and excuses if he wanted to throw a tantrum or sleep late or eat sweets. And of course, wee Mary was practically useless, although adorable.
But Elspeth?
Elspeth, as not only an adult, but amother, had an absolute metric shite-ton—whatever that was—of things to do to prepare her family to leave their home of almost two years. Overseeing the packing, making polite calls upon the correct people, arranging for the luggage train and outriders, and of course, soothing her children.
She’d been working non-stop for days, which is why, she told herself, it had been easy to succumb to a stranger’s kiss that night in the tavern.
Only he’s no’ a stranger any longer, aye?
Absentmindedly, Elspeth patted the bairn’s rear end as she stared out the window of the coach. Nay, Craig Oliphant wasno longer a stranger. He was her son’s bodyguard now, and, as a King’s Hunter, in charge of this journey.
She couldn’t lie; it had been a bit of a relief to hand the reins to someone else and not have to worry about every small aspect… But his arrival had also meant more difficulties.
How was she supposed to ride to Dungotit beside him without remembering the way his hand had felt at her back, his lips upon hers?
That’s why ye’ve hidden in the carriage these last days.
Aye. And it had worked, almost.
She and the children had little contact with the rest of the retinue—the servants and the guards. They’d stayed in inns and royal residences thus far, but the farther north they traveled, the more sparse these comforts would become. She was going to have to face him sooner or later.
